Ellis Island Immigration Museum

Before its transformation into the most active immigration center in the world, Ellis Island had served as a prime fishing area for Dutch and English colonists, an execution ground for pirates, and a fort to protect New York Harbor. In 1892 the federal government opened Ellis Island to process the growing and unprecedented influx of immigrants to the United States. Today, the Ellis Island Immigration Museum interprets the history of the island from its 19th-century beginning to the present through exhibitions of objects, photographs, prints, videos, and oral histories. From the restored Registry Room, where immigrants were questioned before admission to America to displays of baggage, photographs, and personal possessions carried by newcomers, the Ellis Island Immigration Museum examines the social, political, and cultural aspects of mass migrations into the United States.

On-site programs: Ranger-guided tours visit the main Ellis Island building and examine immigration history. Previsit activities that introduce aspects of immigration from the transatlantic voyage to inspection at Ellis Island are available online. The 30-minute documentary Island of Hope, Island of Tears provides an overview of Ellis Island history along with a brief introductory talk given by a park ranger. A theatrical presentation draws on historical sources to illustrate elements of the immigrant experience. The Decide an Immigrant's Fate living history program recreates real hearings that took place on Ellis Island. Education staff explain both turn-of-the-century and contemporary immigration law, and audience members vote to accept or reject applicant immigrants. The Immigration Game Zone program examines aspects of immigration from the 1890s through 1924, the period of peak activity at Ellis Island, through a video presentation, ranger-guided tour, and a question-and-answer game show. Previsit preparation is required. The Junior Ranger Program booklet helps young visitors guide themselves through the museum and learn about Ellis Island, immigration to the United States, and the National Park Service. The Night That Changed America program focuses on the impact of selected pivotal events on American history and its immigration laws. Shore to Shore examines immigration history between 1892 and 1954 with a ranger program and eight hands-on activity stations. Previsit preparation is required. A Genealogy Workshop assists visitors with researching family immigration history. (Call or refer to website for grade-specific programs and pricing.)

Classroom materials: Teachers may borrow a <Park in a Pack curriculum-based kit for two weeks, which includes a teaching guide, four videos, and activities related to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. (Grades 4–8; free with return postage and security deposit) A teaching guide containing background information on immigration and Ellis Island is also available. (Grades 5–8; free)

Additional resources: The American Family Immigration History Center holds the records on more than 22 million immigrants who arrived in New York between 1892 and 1924. The research library at the Statue of Liberty National Monument and Ellis Island contains material on both monuments, immigration, and ethnic history, available for on-site use only. The Ellis Island Oral History Project preserves and provides access to more than 1,500 firsthand records of people who entered the United States through Ellis Island.

General information: Address: Statue of Liberty National Monument, Liberty Island, New York, NY 10004; Phone: (212) 363-3200, x134; Web: www.nps.gov/stli.

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